Pets, Pets, Pets! — Kathy Henderson

Rollicking verse and exuberant illustrations explore every aspect of pet ownership: feeding time, coming up with a name, pet shops, animal shows, pet "beauty parlors," and waiting at the veterinarian. With a lot of affection and a bit of irony, it covers the wonderful aspects of having a pet (cuddling, playing) to the not-so-wonderful (cleaning up poop, dealing with escapes), making this an excellent choice for young children who have just started to clamor for a dog, cat, or other animal of their very own. The book's whimsical drawings take the edge off some of its more sobering themes: pets get hurt; they cost money to feed and care for, and more.